Labour win would lift nation's mood, says Starmer as he sets out his pitch

A Labour win at this year's election would improve the mood of \"a downtrodden country\", Keir Starmer will say today, as he looks to inject a note of optimism into what is set to be one of the most bitterly fought campaigns in recent history.

Families appalled as cladding firm says it won't attend event to hear Grenfell impact

The multibillion-dollar corporation that made Grenfell Tower's combustible cladding will not attend an event at which survivors and bereaved people will testify about their suffering directly to companies that many hold responsible for the disaster.

Badger culls not most effective way to cut bovine TB, report concludes

Improved cattle testing, better financial and mental health support for farmers, and cattle and badger vaccination will more effectively tackle bovine TB in cattle than culling badgers, according to a report.

A very bracing view - wind rips open family's London Eye pod

A family was left exposed to the elements more than 130 metres (400ft) in the air when strong winds \"ripped the hatch\" open on their pod on the London Eye.

If AI can dream: Elvis to live again - as a 3D hologram

While some believe that the king of rock'n'roll may be celebrating his 89th birthday next week propping up the bar of the Heartbreak Hotel, the rest of us will have to make do with an Elvis Presley hologram show in 2024.

Tory MP writes to Cleverly over sudden death of Sikh activist

A senior Conservative MP has written to the home secretary expressing his concern over the sudden death of a Sikh activist in Birmingham last year.

Scientists hail new antibiotic that can kill drug-resistant bacteria

Scientists have discovered an entirely new class of antibiotic that appears to kill one of three bacteria considered to pose the greatest threat to human health because of their extensive drug resistance.

At least 95 die as two blasts hit Iranian city

More than 95 Iranians were killed and scores more injured in a terrorist attack at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate the killing of a top general, further heightening tensions in the increasingly volatile Middle East.

Areola denies Brighton as weary duo run short of inspiration

This was a game that made it hard not to wonder if there is such a thing as too much football. West Ham and Brighton were two tired, injury-hit teams trying their best and giving their all without ever really suggesting they had the wit or energy to give a sleepy crowd a goal.

Liverpool start the year top but it's advantage City

Reigning champions look to be the overall winners from the festive period after Arsenal falter badly

Warner's farewell blighted by stolen baggy green cap

David Warner made a desperate plea for the return of his baggy green after the cap was lost en route to his farewell Test at the SCG.

Waugh tells game's chiefs to act quickly to stop 'death' of Tests

The former Australia captain Steve Waugh has lambasted South Africa's decision to send a shadow side to New Zealand for a Test tour while their top players take part in a domestic T20 tournament, saying it proves the longest format of the game is under serious threat.

Raducanu digs deep to defeat Ruse on return from injury

Emma Raducanu celebrated her long-awaited return from injury with a gutsy three-set win over ElenaGabriela Ruse in the first round of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

China's BYD overtakes Tesla as top-selling electric carmaker

Elon Musk's Tesla has been outperformed by its Chinese rival, BYD, as the world's top-selling electric carmaker.

Hong Kong football team hail famous victory over China

Hong Kong have beaten China for the first time in 29 years in a friendly football match in Abu Dhabi.

Blow to far right Punch at Hitler's eyrie spurs move against neo-Nazi visitors

The punch that floored Joseph Brandner at 11.30pm on 24 August was the start of it all.

'I was not respected': Hermoso testifies over World Cup kiss

The Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso has given evidence to a judge investigating the kiss she received from the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, after Spain's win in the World Cup final last August.

And the winner is...Putin keen to project calm on his cruise to re-election

In news that probably shocked no one, Vladimir Putin announced last month that he would seek a fifth presidential term in Russia's forthcoming March elections. In a country where Putin, 71, has come to dominate the political system and the media over the past two decades, the outcome will leave little room for imagination.

Missiles pound Kyiv and Kharkiv as Russia vows to intensify attack

Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and its second-largest city, Kharkiv, came under heavy missile attacks yesterday, killing at least five people a day after Vladimir Putin warned that Russia would \"intensify\" its assault on the country.

'I read a lot of philosophy' Bridge climate protester's time in prison

Last year, Morgan Trowland was one of two Just Stop Oil protesters sentenced to more than two and a half years in prison for scaling the Dartford crossing.

Doctors' leader calls for action to recruit more GPS in rural Scotland

The leader of Scotland's doctors has called for rural GPs to get higher pay and special status to cope with a critical shortfall of medics in the Highlands, islands and rural counties.

Gaza deaths Toll passes 22,000 with no sign of respite for civilians

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza climbed to more than 22,000 yesterday after intense fighting across the territory, including in the southern city of Khan Younis, where the Palestinian Red Crescent said five people were killed in a second Israeli attack on its compound.

Home town goes mad for the boy with world at his fingertips

Dozens of teenagers have flocked to Karl Holden's darts shop in St Helens to practise and stock up on supplies, and the small building is almost at maximum capacity.

Philosophy student guilty of murder after running over fiance with her car

A philosophy student has been found guilty of murdering her boyfriend when she “lost her temper” and drunkenly ran over him with her car, dragging him underneath.

Kids Company charity founder and children's social justice campaigner dies aged 61

Camila Batmanghelidjh, who created the Kids Company children's charity and became one of the UK's best known and most powerful campaigners for disadvantaged youngsters, has died aged 61.

Almost 100,000 wait for asylum decision amid claims legacy backlog has cleared

Almost 100,000 people seeking asylum in the UK are waiting for a decision amid growing claims that ministers have massaged official figures to try to show that they have cut the backlog of cases.

Revolving door? Leading politicians who took up lucrative roles

The \"revolving door\" that allows ministers and top officials to take up lucrative roles after leaving government has been a feature of public life for decades.

Worst of times Housing crisis prompts artistic critique of life, Dickens style

When invasive mould is the new way to die in one of the world's most popular video games, you know the housing crisis has hit the cultural mainstream.

Man accused of Sheffield car crash murder faces trial in July

A 23-year-old man accused of murdering a \"Good Samaritan\" who was hit by a car in Sheffield last week while he was trying to help a stranger will face trial this year.

Storm Henk brings power cuts, floods and 94mph gusts off Isle of Wight as it tears across south

Roads, bridges and rail lines were blocked as the first named storm of 2024 Henk - swept across parts of southern Britain yesterday, with one area experiencing its strongest wind speeds for more than 30 years.